His testimony was heard in the ongoing hearings over the consent decree between the Orleans Parish Prison and the U.S. Department of Justice. U.S. District Judge Lance Africk is expected to decide whether to approve the changes by the end of the week.

Gusman's early testimony focused on his actions to evacuate inmates following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Speaking in reference to the changes needed at the jail in the hearing, Gusman listed a slew of problems that needed to be addressed at the facility.

Gusman spoke about the size of the kitchen being "far larger" than it needed to be and staffing shortages, which created a daily struggle.

During the course of the hearings, shocking videos were released and shown inside court. The videos show inmates doing drugs, drinking, gambling and even handling a gun while inside a jail cell. Another video showed filthy conditions in which the inmates were living and another video showed an inmate, who WDSU identified as Arthur Johnson, roaming Bourbon Street while he was supposed to be behind bars.

Gusman said he was made aware of videos, showing his inmates using drug, drinking alcohol and holding a loaded weapon and that the staff investigated the issue.

On the issue of the inmate appearing on Bourbon Street, Gusman said a "malfunctioning door" may have allowed the inmates to come and go as they please, or they may have received help from the inside. Both incidents were investigated, he said.

Gusman said he decided to sign the consent decree based on concerns expressed about the jail and recognized that it was a step to improve the operations at the facility. The sheriff said his staff has been making improvements to the current facility, both operationally and structurally.

City attorney Harry Rosenberg said the city plans to submit a request to consider the appointment of a federal receiver for the Orleans Parish Prison.

"Sheriff Gusman is not exhibiting proper leadership in operating the Orleans Parish Prison and needs to be replaced. Period," Rosenberg said.

The city, which funds the jail, objects to the potential cost of the consent decree agreement. After the videos were released on Tuesday, Mayor Mitch Landrieu is urging that the federal government appoint someone other than Gusman to run the lockup.

"It's clear the entire management at Orleans Parish Prison has just been terrible," Landrieu said.

Landrieu is opposed to the agreement. Landrieu is calling on the court to reject the agreement, saying it could force the city, which funds the jail, to spend millions of dollars on a badly run facility.

WDSU will have complete coverage of Gusman's testimony, with updates on WDSU news at 4, 5 and 6 and online at WDSU.com.